08 Dec. 1899 Letters to the Editor - Cumberland and Westmorland Newspaper Transcriptions

08 Dec. 1899 Letters to the Editor

Christmas Cheer for the Naval Brigade.
At The FRONT

To the Editor of the Carlisle Journal.

Sir. The gallantry of our sailors, as well as our soldiers, is in the mind of the whole country; Jack, with his naval guns, came to the rescue at Ladysmith and turned the tide; the battle of Graspan, or Enslin, which has just been fought on the road to Kimberley, has been called the "Sailors' Battle," so heavily did the brave bluejackets and marines of the Naval Brigade, both officers and men, suffer; but, as might be expected from Jack's dauntless gallantry, the battle was a victory. I am honoured by the navy with the title of "Mother," and I am anxious to cheer the hearts of the brave boys at Christmas and the New Year. There are between 600 and 1,000 men at the front, and I want to send each a Christmas pudding, a ration of tobacco, and a pipe, and possibly socks, to replace those worn out in climbing kopjes. I have consulted the bluejackets at the home ports as to these gifts, and they suggested, and voted vigorously, for puddings 'baccy, and socks. I shall be sending out immediately, and I shall be very glad to receive help from all friends of the navy who may be disposed to aid me. All gifts, at the Front, "will be duly acknowledged. Cheques to be drawn to AGNES E WESTON, or paid into "Royal Sailors' Rest Account, National Provincial Bank, Landport, Portsmouth." All cheques and postal orders to have " & Co." written across them. Will my kind helpers address to me "MISS WESTON, Royal Sailors; Rest, Portsmouth," and send at once, as Christmas and New Years are at hand. Jack's rations when fighting are often short and his privations great, and it cheers his heart to know that his friends in England never forget him. I am, &c.

AGNES E WESTON.

Royal Sailors' Rest, Portsmouth